An evening out......
Had the opportunity of watching the much touted 'Aplea Bhurgeam Sangatak' a Konkani drama staged by Dy S.P. Sammy Tavares at the American International School, Hawally on Friday 28th September 2012 and I must say it was not such a happy experience.
Let me start with the play itself. Although I found the story similar to so many other Tiatrs I have watched over the years, it could still could pass off as 'satisfactory' especially given that it contained some powerful acting by Felcy as the tormented mother, Mathew, Roma, Rosaila and a couple of others whose names I do not know. Regretfully, I cannot say the same about the comedy and I personally did not find it too funny, in spite of the best efforts of comedian John D'Silva. Strangely though, quite a few in the audience enjoyed it. The songs baring one or two including one beautiful duet by the female leads, were dull and boring and I could see the audience getting restless and waiting for the next one. For once my favourite Cajetan/Marcus/Xavier disappointed big time and left many in the audience feeling the same as me , especially since the drama was attended by a huge crowd, probably close to 600 plus.
However, my main reason for writing this blog is not really about the drama, it more to do with the organizers and the organizing of the drama.
Isn't it time the organizers stopped checking our patience and started taking us a little more seriously? The start of the drama was announced as 5:00pm and in spite of us being in the hall at 4:50pm, the show started approximately at 6:45pm (about 1 hour 45 minutes late), and to top it all, till the curtains opened we were bombarded with announcement after announcement about the availability of so called 'Original CDs' and VCDs. There was also an announcement that video shooting is prohibited while the organizers had 3 cameras in strategic locations to actually video film the whole play. Also every now and then someone would announce that the play is about to start and the lights would be switched off only for them to come on again...
My next issue is the interval break. Without scant concern for the audience who were in the hall, some of them from 4:00pm, the break lasted for over an hour with further announcements about VCDs and CDs, Bingo game, auction of souvenirs and felicitation ceremonies. The show actually ended at 11:25pm, so you do the math.
Another strange thing I found in recent Konkani Dramas is that Organizers and Tiatrists find it the best place to wash 'Dirty Linen'. So you will find a singer (in this case a couple) who will come on stage and sing a 'Zopati' (hope I got that right) without giving names, but rather a few broad hints. Now tell me, if I am not aware of your drama politics, how the hell would I know who you are singing about or seriously do I really care?
I believe it's time our Konkani drama organizers and actors stop hiding behind the curtain of their love for the Konkani language and the stage, and give us our money's worth. Most of them (actually all, and I know quite a few) are very sensitive to criticism and will rarely accept it positively to improve themselves and their art. It's time organizers not only think of making a tidy profit, but giving the audience value for their money as well.
A friend of mine summed up last evening's drama very well. He said: I have seen a lot of dramas by far the worst, serious thought needs to go in by the organizers.
Gentlemen, Please!!! If I have paid KD.5/- (approximately Rs.1000/-) for a ticket, damn it!!!! I want full value for my money. Just like watching a move, not all dramas may be good, but if not anything else, at least I should enjoy the experience of a pleasant evening out.
Julio Cardoso
Kuwait
www.juliozinia.blogspot.com
DRAMA IN KUWAIT: APLEA BHURGEAM SANGATAK
Let me start with the play itself. Although I found the story similar to so many other Tiatrs I have watched over the years, it could still could pass off as 'satisfactory' especially given that it contained some powerful acting by Felcy as the tormented mother, Mathew, Roma, Rosaila and a couple of others whose names I do not know. Regretfully, I cannot say the same about the comedy and I personally did not find it too funny, in spite of the best efforts of comedian John D'Silva. Strangely though, quite a few in the audience enjoyed it. The songs baring one or two including one beautiful duet by the female leads, were dull and boring and I could see the audience getting restless and waiting for the next one. For once my favourite Cajetan/Marcus/Xavier disappointed big time and left many in the audience feeling the same as me , especially since the drama was attended by a huge crowd, probably close to 600 plus.
However, my main reason for writing this blog is not really about the drama, it more to do with the organizers and the organizing of the drama.
Isn't it time the organizers stopped checking our patience and started taking us a little more seriously? The start of the drama was announced as 5:00pm and in spite of us being in the hall at 4:50pm, the show started approximately at 6:45pm (about 1 hour 45 minutes late), and to top it all, till the curtains opened we were bombarded with announcement after announcement about the availability of so called 'Original CDs' and VCDs. There was also an announcement that video shooting is prohibited while the organizers had 3 cameras in strategic locations to actually video film the whole play. Also every now and then someone would announce that the play is about to start and the lights would be switched off only for them to come on again...
My next issue is the interval break. Without scant concern for the audience who were in the hall, some of them from 4:00pm, the break lasted for over an hour with further announcements about VCDs and CDs, Bingo game, auction of souvenirs and felicitation ceremonies. The show actually ended at 11:25pm, so you do the math.
Another strange thing I found in recent Konkani Dramas is that Organizers and Tiatrists find it the best place to wash 'Dirty Linen'. So you will find a singer (in this case a couple) who will come on stage and sing a 'Zopati' (hope I got that right) without giving names, but rather a few broad hints. Now tell me, if I am not aware of your drama politics, how the hell would I know who you are singing about or seriously do I really care?
I believe it's time our Konkani drama organizers and actors stop hiding behind the curtain of their love for the Konkani language and the stage, and give us our money's worth. Most of them (actually all, and I know quite a few) are very sensitive to criticism and will rarely accept it positively to improve themselves and their art. It's time organizers not only think of making a tidy profit, but giving the audience value for their money as well.
A friend of mine summed up last evening's drama very well. He said: I have seen a lot of dramas by far the worst, serious thought needs to go in by the organizers.
Gentlemen, Please!!! If I have paid KD.5/- (approximately Rs.1000/-) for a ticket, damn it!!!! I want full value for my money. Just like watching a move, not all dramas may be good, but if not anything else, at least I should enjoy the experience of a pleasant evening out.
Julio Cardoso
Kuwait
www.juliozinia.blogspot.com
